After the recent failure of UN-sponsored talks, a vigorous debate has taken place about the way to advance discussions over the rules governing state behaviour in cyberspace. What are the merits and pitfalls of alternative approaches? And how can different tracks be strategically intertwined?

In June 2017, the UN Group of Governmental Experts (UNGGE) – a gathering of cyber specialists – failed to present a consensus report. Although not entirely unexpected, the deadlock prolongs the uncertainty surrounding the application of international law to cyberspace and norms of responsible state behaviour.

After several years of seemingly consistent progress, the approach adopted through the UNGGE appears to have reached its limits due to problems related to expanding membership, format and timing.

United Nations: Group of Governmental Experts - Cybersecurity - Information security - Norms - Tallinn Manual on the International Law applicable to Cyber Warfare - Code of Conduct for Information Security